our history
Centro Mujeres was founded in La Paz, Mexico in 1991 by three health professionals in response to the burden of unmet community health needs and human rights violations of women and adolescents. In its first two years, Centro Mujeres offered counseling in family planning, AIDS education and reproductive rights education, within a human rights framework.
As the region has undergone rapid growth, Centro Mujeres has expanded to meet the acute need for our programs and services. As a result of our continued efforts and programs, the public school system no longer expels pregnant teens, State Congress reformed Penal Codes to classify domestic violence and sexual harassment as highly penalized crimes and marginalized migrant workers are learning to defend their human rights.
Centro Mujeres remains one of the only organizations of its kind in the state and is regarded by the community as a trustworthy and effective advocate for the sexual, reproductive and basic human rights of women and adolescents.
Learn how you can help support our programs today.
Centro Mujeres Highlights:
2008:
• State assembly woman presents an initiative to incorporate child prostitution and sexual trafficking as crimes in the state penal codes. Centro Mujeres works to ensure that the text penalizes perpetrators while protecting the human rights of victims.
• Centro Mujeres works with the State Prosecutor for Crimes Against Women and Children and with two advisers from the Commission on Gender Equity to write an initiative on Mobbing. The Initiative is presented on December 10th, International Human Rights Day.
• Centro Mujeres is called upon to be part of a new system mandated by the new state law which is called, Women's Access to a Life without Violence, and participates in the development of the system's internal rules and regulations.
• Centro Mujeres presents at the Urban Initiative for Reproductive Health in New York City on the legal reform process in B.C.S. regarding changes in access to abortion.
• Centro Mujeres is accepted into the national network for human rights, Red Todos los Derechos para Todos y Todas.
• Centro Mujeres becomes a member of the Latin American and Caribbean Women's Network for Popular Education (REPEM).
• Centro Mujeres develops five radio spots in the form of mini dramas aimed at migrants that focus on: labor rights, the right to education, the right to health, the right to transit freely, and the right to an environment free of pesticides. Spots are aired in five states.
• Centro Mujeres takes a leading role in an exploratory/needs assessment on the situation of women for the Los Cabos County Institute for Women.
• Centro Mujeres trains 42 social workers as facilitators for Hablamos Claro Workshops, extending the reach of the program to all counties in the state.
• Centro Mujeres' Advocates COPADO program is recognized by the State Congress with the State Award for Youth in the category of civic merit for their contribution in reducing teen pregnancies over the last seven years..
2007:
• Centro Mujeres initiates an observational study on seasonal agricultural migrant workers to evaluate human rights treatment in the state of B.C.S.
• Centro Mujeres organizes first-ever workshop series with government leaders to discuss the quality of life and human rights of seasonal agricultural migrant workers in the state.
• Centro Mujeres launches Little Ones , a sexual violence prevention program aimed at children ages 4-6 in B.C.S.
• For the first time the public education system embraces a youth-driven sex education program. In its third phase, Centro Mujeres’ Advocates COPADO/portal de jóvenes will train student to be health educators.
• Centro Mujeres works with Commission on Gender Equity to draft a pioneering prevention and protection law on violence against women and to reform the state penal and civil codes. These reforms guarantee all women in B.C.S. a legal framework to have access to justice.
2006:
• Centro Mujeres compiles and edits the book, Serpientes y Escaleras, Las Mujeres Mexicanas y las Metas del Milenio, Análisis Critico y Propuestas desde el Feminismo, a critical analysis of women and the Millennium Development Goals.
• Centro Mujeres plays instrumental role in creation of national citizen’s feminist network RECIFEM, comprised of 13 states including B.C.S.
• Centro Mujeres begins three new violence prevention efforts with children, their families, and educators, including Flor de Paz. Hablemos Claro and Aprendiendo a ConVivir Sin Violencia.
• December 14th, State Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination in Baja California Sur is approved under the Bill No. 1658 for B.C.S. The law includes the creation of a State Council as the central organ to enforce its strict implementation.
2005:
• After years of Centro Mujeres’ advocacy with lawmakers and state personnel, State Congress passes a comprehensive Penal Codes reform that classifies domestic violence and sexual harassment as highly penalized crimes related to sexual abuse. The legal interruption of a pregnancy is guaranteed based on four legal justifications.
• Centro Mujeres proposes sensitization program for policymakers about the need for revised discrimination laws and development of an independent State Council to Prevent and Eradicate All forms of Discrimination. Centro Mujeres also proposes discrimination by gender, sexual identity and sexual orientation be included in the reform.
• Centro Mujeres negotiates with Secretary of Foreign Affairs in Mexico during review of national advancements for women based on government’s commitment to the Beijing Agreements, CEDAW and Millenium Development Goals.
• Centro Mujeres formally proposes federal government create citizen observatories on violence against women and girls to improve accountability.
• Centro Mujeres trains community women in La Paz as health educators, or “orientadoras”, as part of innovative violence against women prevention model.
2004:
Results from program monitoring the Cairo Program of Action in Mexico are published. Centro Mujeres writes the report on AIDS policies.
2003:
• World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, invites Centro Mujeres to participate in the Strategic Committee on sexually transmitted infections.
• Foundation MERCED awards Centro Mujeres Rázon de Ser prize, for its contribution to Mexican society and quality of life in Mexico.
• Centro Mujeres begins PROMESA and applied research programs at Rancho La Campana, addressing violence against migrant women.
2002:
• The booklet, Adolescencia y Juventud en México is published, in conjunction with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from three states.
• Centro Mujeres hosts first “Leadership Training for Youth in Sexual and Reproductive Rights” meeting.
• Campaigning begins for creation of county youth councils to promote the rights of adolescents and young people.
• Centro Mujeres led the Advisory Board of the Baja California Sur State Women’s Institute in its petition to the Secretary of Health to enforce national norms against domestic violence, which requires health personnel to report cases of abuse to the legal authorities.
2001:
• Centro Mujeres researches national budget allocations for reproductive health programs.
2000:
• Centro Mujeres attends National Network of Grantmakers’ annual meeting on globalization.
• First printing of Centro Mujeres' best-selling Todo lo que Tú Preguntaste en los Talleres de Educación Sexual en Secundarias (“All You Asked in Your Junior High Sex-Ed Workshops”).
• Centro Mujeres works with NGOs from other states to monitor Mexico’s implementation of Cairo Program of Action, as part of the Latin American and the Caribbean Women’s Health Network.
1999:
• Centro Mujeres helps establish and joins the Baja California Sur State Women’s Institute.
• Centro Mujeres participates in international preparatory meetings for Cairo +5.
• Centro Mujeres attends the “International Working meeting on Informed Consent in Family Planning Services” in Bellagio, Italy.
• Centro Mujeres implements the first certificate course on gender, reproductive health and population issues for 32 professionals from diverse state institutions such as health, education, development etc.
1997:
• Centro Mujeres joins Foro de Población, a national network monitoring the Cairo agreements in Mexico.
• Centro Mujeres participates in first World Health Organization (WHO) Global Forum for Health Research in Geneva and presents paper on conducting research from a gender perspective in Latin America.
1996:
• Centro Mujeres creates COPADO (Creating Option for Adolescent Development and Orientation) to introduce sex education in regional junior high schools.
• Centro Mujeres creates PROMESA, a community health and rights leadership training program for women living in marignalized areas of La Paz.
• Centro Mujeres joins Milenio Feminista, a national network monitoring the status of the Beijing agreements in Mexico.
1995:
The Fourth World Conference on Women is held in Beijing.
1994:
The landmark UN Cairo agreements asserting women’s rights are signed.
1991:
Centro Mujeres is founded by Mónica Jasis, Teresa Shields and Noemi Carillo.